Earlier text: GO TO THE ANTTract and Missionary Society Reporting Instructions for Western Iowa and Nebrask
By H. Nicola
To members of T. and M. Society, Western Ia. and Neb.
You see the camp-meeting comes at the time of your church quarterly meeting, but this need not hinder you from reporting to the district quarterly meeting the following Sabbath. Make out your reports in good time, and hand or send them to your librarian, that he may have his report ready for the district meeting. Illinois Conference Directory.
G. W. Colcord, Rockford, Winnebago Co. S. Nettie Smith, Woodburn, McCoupin Co. John F. Traville, Aledo, Mercer Co. R. F. Andrews, Gilman, Iroquois Co. Geo. Foreman, Somonauk, DeKalb Co. John J. Carlock, Watseka, Iroquois Co. Robert Vickery, Belvidere, Boone Co. Notices to Absent Members of State Center Church
We want reports from all the absent members of the State Center, Iowa, church at our next quarterly meeting (Oct. 6, 7). There are some of our members who have not reported in over one year. Please send in your reports, and let us know how you are getting along or else we will have to drop your name. M. M. Kenny, Assistant Church Clerk. If Eld. J. Lamont, Geo. Kennedy, or Smith Sharp will write me, stating time and place that they will hold meetings in this (Jefferson) or adjoining counties, I will try, no providence preventing, to meet them. N. SALTUM, DENMARK.
By John G. Matteson
The harvest has now commenced. The weather is unusually wet, and the people are obliged to work industriously to gather in the grain with which the Lord has blessed them. For this reason I shall not hold many meetings during the harvest, but will spend some time in writing, and in visiting and encouraging Sabbath-keepers in other places. In N. Saltum last Tuesday, about two hundred people came to our meeting. Another school-teacher brought up some objections to our views. Among other things he tried to prove that the commandments of God are too grievous to be kept, and not only that, but that they are so grievous that speaking of them must not be tolerated. We referred to the testimony of the beloved apostle John: “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and his commandments are not grievous.” Why should we teach or regard the commandments of God, if we do not strive to live them out as well as we, by the grace of God, are able to do? Therefore our Saviour also says in regard to the commandments, that “whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 5:19. He then said that the Pharisees have burdened the Sabbath with thirty-nine ordinances, and if it now should be burdened with three times as many, it could not be borne. We answered that it is our aim to rid the Sabbath of the provisions of man, and it would be well if the above-mentioned and all other human ordinances and customs could be separated from the worship of God, and we could conform ourselves to the plain word of God. The sermon which was given after that, on the subject of the Cross, made a deep impression upon the people. Most of them are willing to hear, and acknowledge the authority of the word of God. On the Sabbath we met in Alstrup, and Sunday afternoon about two hundred were assembled in Svendstrup, five miles from Alstrup. I am now at this place, on my way to Holstebro and Fano. I have appointed meetings again in Saltum in two weeks, and will then continue to labor in this vicinity. I have been promised a hall situated in a very favorable place, and hope, through the blessing of God, to be able to push the work forward more after the harvest is over than before. We have sold books for $2.50, and obtained some subscribers for ADVENT TIDENDE. We hold all our meetings in the day-time, and I think we can continue to do so the whole winter in the country. This is much better than holding evening meetings. The leading men in society second our efforts, and the Baptists are also drawing nearer to us, and are very friendly. May the Lord lead many hearts to prepare for the glorious appearing of Jesus, and to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. My address is Alstrup, pr. Brönderslev, Denmark, Europe. We had held but two meetings in Howard City, when Mrs. Morse, a popular spiritualist lecturer, came to town, and for the first time introduced spiritism in this place. At the close of her second meeting, we gave notice that we would review her, and this has given us the ears of the people and an opportunity to introduce the life and death question, which appears to be taking wonderfully well, and awakening an interest to know more of our faith. We were informed that the Baptists had seventeen at their service on Sunday A. M., and the Methodists five, while we had a good congregation. Last evening about three hundred and fifty were out to listen to a discourse on the sleep of the dead. If I can judge correctly, it was well received. Bro. and Sr. Martin, who received the Sabbath while we were at Lakeview, live here, and furnish us an organ. Sr. Bell Collard is still our organist. We are cheered by the fair prospects here. We closed our tent-meetings here Sept. 1, having given, in all, about eighty discourses. We have found this a hard field of labor, there being much prejudice and all manner of underhanded opposition. One sermon was preached against us by Eld. Munn, of the Baptist Church, which was reviewed at the tent in the evening, with good effect. The pastor of the Congregational church, who is now absent on a visit, has promised on his return to show up the origin and errors of Adventism, hoping, doubtless, that we will be gone by that time. The people have been faithfully warned, and many are “almost persuaded” to obey, but with the majority, “What will people say?” and “How shall we obtain a living?” have been weightier considerations than their duty to God, and eternal life with its untold blessings. About twelve, however, have taken a stand on the side of truth. Part of these have been baptized, and others will be soon. They will be organized, and, in connection with other Sabbath-keepers in the vicinity, will sustain meetings. Never has the truth seemed clearer or more precious to us than at present. TEXAS TENT.
By R. M. Kilgore
WE have been at Cleburne just eight weeks. We brought our meetings to a close last Sunday night, Sept. 2. Have had a hard battle. The opposition have been busy in operating against us, both publicly and privately, and even the “prince of the power of the air” has endeavored to array the elements against us. But we are not discouraged. About midnight, Sunday night, without any wind, it began to rain in torrents. Before daylight the ground was covered with water, and the little stream near which we were camping was rising very rapidly. The stakes of the large tent gave way, the two center poles crossed, and the tent lay flat on the seats. All took shelter in our family tent. Soon we saw wagons, a cow, and rails in abundance, afloat in the little stream. A friend indeed, knowing the character of the stream (though it had not swollen so for six years), came, and told us that we were in imminent danger. He brought his team speedily, and we succeeded in rescuing my wife and children, and much of our furniture. Both tents were covered with water. We succeeded in saving some of the seats, while a new angry current carried some of them away in spite of us. The tent held down many of them, which would otherwise have gone. After the storm abated, the retiring stream left everything covered with filth, mingled with sticks and little fish. While we feel very grateful that it is no worse with us than it is, we are sorry to see the destruction around us, and to have our new tent in such a condition. We hear of others who lost everything, and escaped in their night-clothes. The greatest source of gratitude to us, is that we were permitted to round off our meetings so successfully. On Sunday night the tent was well filled. Having received an invitation from the citizens of Peoria, in Hill Co., we expected to strike tents on Monday, but now we shall not be able to move before Monday of next week. As a result of the meetings here forty-five, at least, are keeping the Sabbath, forty of whom have signed the covenant to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. A Bible-class and Sabbath-school is formed. We have sold about sixty dollars’ worth of books, have given away a large number of tracts and papers, many of which have been carried many miles in every direction, by travelers passing through and camping near the tent at night. We have obtained fourteen subscribers for the REVIEW, two for the INSTRUCTOR, and two for the REFORMER, and have the promise of others. We have organized S. B. amounting to $150. We have rented the M. E. church for the coming year, in which to hold our meetings. Bro. Wm. Kerr, formerly a Methodist class leader, has been appointed to lead the meetings. We remain with them over another Sabbath, and then we hope to pitch the tent next week at Peoria, Hill Co., thirty miles south of Cleburne. We crave the prayers of the people of God. R. M. KILGORE. We closed our meetings here on Sunday evening. The cool weather, and an agricultural fair a few miles away, greatly reduced our congregations during the last week; but the last evening we had our tent about full. Some were deeply interested, and we hope they may obey. S. B. WHITNEY. The Lord is blessing the work here. There are now twenty-nine grown persons keeping the Sabbath. Am holding meetings every afternoon and evening. The interest is deep, and is spreading. I am alone with the tent now, as Bro. Craig has gone to Conference. I have a good report of the church at Jamestown. Truly the Lord is good. The message is beginning to go with a loud cry. Dear brethren and sisters, let us redouble our diligence. The end is drawing near. CHAS. B. REYNOLDS. GRIFFIN, GA.
By C. O. Taylor
GRIFFIN is two hundred and forty miles north of Quitman via Macon. As I have come this distance with my team, I have had a good opportunity of learning the sentiments and feelings of the people. I find them very kind. They have ears to hear. I have spoken freely on the different points of our faith, and with one exception, they were anxious to hear more, and urged us to call and see them on our return. Two evenings I spoke to the friends and neighbors that were invited in. With the exception of this place, and where I have labored in Brooks Co., our views are not known in all this large State. The Spirit of God has called the attention of the people to many points of present truth. Many are ready to acknowledge that the seventh day is the Sabbath. One gentleman, a prominent member of the Baptist church, and a lawyer, had been much troubled over the common view of “endless torment.” He listened with deep interest to the reading of the Bible on the end of the wicked.103 I called on a family by the name of Gunn, that had read several numbers of the SIGNS sent them by a sister in Jefferson Co., N. Y. Not one of the family of eight professed religion, yet they would be an honor to the truth if they would take hold of it. They wanted to invite their neighbors in, that I might speak to them. An hour’s notice, and there was a room full, and the best of attention was given while I explained to them the chart. One young man just commencing in the ministry expressed himself “perfectly delighted.” The reading of a few numbers of the SIGNS has led this family to see the true Sabbath very clearly. They urged me to return and speak to them again. I go there next Tuesday. I expect to remain in this part of the State two or three weeks. I am stopping with Bro. J. A. Villingsworth, who has been keeping the Sabbath for several years. He has stood firm amidst much opposition. The Lord has given him the hearts of many. Opposition is giving way, and the people are looking with more favor toward the truth. C. O. TAYLOR. WHY THUS LONGING?
By Harriet Winslow Sewell
Why thus longing, thus forever sighing
For the far-off, unattained, and dim,
While the beautiful, all around thee lying,
Offers up its low, perpetual hymn? Wouldst thou listen to its gentle teaching
All thy restless yearnings it would still,
Leaf and flower and laden bee are teaching
Thine own sphere, though humble, first to fill. Poor indeed thou must be, if around thee
Thou no ray of light and joy canst throw,
If no silken chord of love hath bound thee
To some little world, through weal or woe; If no dear eyes thy fond love can brighten,
No fond voices answer to thine own,
If no brother's sorrow thou canst lighten
By daily sympathy and gentle tone. Not by deeds that gain the world's applause,
Not by works that win the world renown,
Not by martyrdom or vaunted crosses,
Canst thou win and wear the immortal crown. Daily struggling, though unloved and lonely,
Every day a rich reward will give;
Thou wilt find by hearty striving only,
And truly loving, thou canst truly live. Dost thou revel in the rosy morning
When all nature hails the lord of light,
And his smile, nor low nor lofty scorning,
Gladdens hall and hovel, vale and height? Other hands may grasp the field and forest,
Proud proprietors in pomp may shine;
But with fervent love if thou adorest,
Thou art wealthier,—all the world is thine. Yet if through earth's wide domains thou rovest,
Sighing that they are not thine alone,
Not those fair fields, but thyself, thou lovest,
And their beauty and thy wealth are gone. DANVERS, MASS.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
The last week has been the most encouraging of any we have had. Our audiences have kept up much better than we could expect. We still have a regular attendance of from two to five hundred. All the unpopular features of our faith have now been presented, and still the people come. Twenty took their stand upon the Sabbath last week, making seventy in all. I think they average as well as any company I have ever seen. We feared that in this manufacturing town the men would not embrace the truth, but we have been happily disappointed. A good many whole families have embraced the truth. There are about thirty men among them. Several of these are quite capable, and will make good leaders in the church, so that we have as promising a prospect as I have ever seen. We have rented a good hall a few steps from the tent, into which we can move any day. And now we must have a house. We have started a subscription, have our plans drawn, and are looking for a lot. Land is very high, but there is plenty for sale. Before the brethren read this report we expect to have our house well begun. We have no hopes of receiving enough here to build the house, as new friends do not appreciate the importance of sacrificing as old brethren do, and most of them are in moderate circumstances any way. We expect our brethren through the Conference to help us. The weather is fine. For a couple of weeks I have been very tired, and my throat has again troubled me a great deal, but I hope this difficulty will soon wear off. D. M. CANRIGHT. OHIO
By Joseph Harvey Waggoner
The interest in the meetings in Newark increases, though the circumstances are unfavorable. Some nights have been uncomfortably cold, and it has rained almost every day or night since we commenced. We can judge but little of the interest by the size of the congregations in bad weather, for some are reading and are deeply interested who dare not attend at the tent. I am sorry that our tent leaks badly; it is quite unfit to hold meetings in at this time of year. Our book sales have not been large, but including the sales at the camp-meeting the purchases in the city will at least reach $60. Besides this, great quantities of reading matter have been lent by the tract distributors, and thousands of pages given away. Wherever a house has been missed by the distributors it is found that the neighbors have lent to them, so that about all in the city have read some. The late strike was very disastrous to Newark; times are very hard since, and money scarce. This affects our book sales. The work here cannot be finished up in a hurry. Somebody ought to spend about all the winter in and about this city. With the amount of reading that is being done, and the wide-spread interest that exists, to hasten a decision or precipitate a crisis would do great injustice to the work. The sickness of the President of the Conference has made it very difficult to decide in regard to the future. INDIANA
By S. H. Lane; A. W. Bartlett; L. Caldwell
The work at Darlington is still onward. The Lord has given freedom in preaching the word, and many have been deeply impressed. Doubtless a number will embrace the truth. The people are becoming very friendly, and are fast losing their prejudice. Baptized five at Thorntown on the Sabbath. We believe that the Sabbath-keepers of that place will make efficient workers in the cause of present truth, if each one will do his or her part in prayer and in testimony. “And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Pray that the Spirit of God may accompany our effort here. S. H. LANE.
A. W. BARTLETT.
L. CALDWELL. MISSOURI
By C. H. Chaffee; H. Woodruff
WE have now, Sept. 10, been in Half Rock seven weeks, and have given in all seventy-five discourses. Have thoroughly canvassed the prophecies, Sabbath, the law, etc. We have had much opposition, and some of the lowest and meanest we have ever met in all our experience. But twenty-five have now accepted the whole truth. The Sunday after our debate closed, sixteen were buried with their Lord by baptism, in the presence of at least eight hundred persons. We shall have baptism again in a few days. Our meetings still continue, with increasing interest. The whole country seems stirred for miles around. The Lord has been with us in power, for which we praise his holy name. We shall follow up this work until it is done, or we have to leave for the camp-meetings. The people here have been very kind to us, and our tent expenses this season have not exceeded $3. We are of good cheer, and our hearts are full of the love of God. C. H. Chaffee.
H. Woodruff. MINNESOTA
By G. M. Dimmick; J. W. Moore
We closed our labors at Luverne, Rock Co., Sept. 8. A church of thirteen members was organized, and as many more are keeping the Sabbath. Systematic benevolence was pledged to the amount of $666, and voted to the Minnesota Conference. We now go to Cleveland, Le Sueur Co., Minn. G. M. Dimmick. J. W. Moore. VERMONT CONFERENCE.
By A. S. Hutchins; C. W. Stone
The fifteenth annual session of the Vermont Conference of S. D. Adventists was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Morrisville, Sept. 6–11, 1877. The session was opened by prayer by Eld. U. Smith. Credentials were presented by delegates from ten churches, and brethren present from three others were accepted as their delegates. Ministers from abroad were invited to take part in the deliberations of the meeting, as also were all brethren present in good standing. The minutes of the last meeting were then read and accepted. The Chair then appointed the following committees: on nominations, A. C. Bourdeau, C. P. Whitford, T. H. Purdon; on credentials, J. F. Colby, C. N. Pike, D. Ayer; on resolutions, U. Smith, N. Orcutt, H. Peebles; auditing, M. Gould, C. P. Whitford, J. Barrows, H. Peebles, T. H. Purdon, E. P. Farnsworth. Adjourned to call of Chair. Conference was called again on Monday morning. Prayer by Eld. N. Orcutt. Committee on Credentials recommended that the credentials of Elds. A. Stone, A. S. Hutchins, A. C. Bourdeau, D. T. Bourdeau, Lewis Bean, and N. Orcutt be renewed; and license be given to C. W. Stone, R. S. Owen, and M. E. Kellogg. The report was accepted and credentials and licenses voted as per report. The Committee on Nominations reported for President, A. S. Hutchins; Executive Committee, A. S. Hutchins, Lewis Bean, S. H. Peck; secretary, C. W. Stone; treasurer, V. O. Cross; Camp-meeting Committee, E. R. Bancroft, Marcus Gould, G. W. Page. The report was accepted and the nominees elected. The report of the Committee on Resolutions being called for, Bro. Smith presented the following:— Resolved, That the sincere thanks of this Conference are due, First, To the Camp-meeting and Executive Committees for their careful, judicious, and untiring efforts in the selection, preparation, and management of this ground. Secondly, To the General Conference for the abundant and efficient help furnished at this meeting, and to the ministers themselves for their efforts to make this occasion one of interest and profit. Thirdly, To Bro. C. W. Stone and his helpers for their assistance in the service of song, which is so important a branch of the worship of God. Fourthly, That Bro. and Sr. White have been brought to Vermont, and sustained in their feebleness to bear their testimony before this people; and that, as the most appropriate and acceptable manner of offering our thanks to these worn servants, we will show in our lives that we profit by their counsels. Fifthly, To the citizens of Morrisville and vicinity for their attendance and candid attention at this meeting. Sixthly, and above all, To our Father in Heaven for his guiding hand, and his great blessing bestowed upon us in making this consecrated grove the “house of God” and the “gate of Heaven” to our souls. Resolved, That we request the General Conference to furnish ministerial help to this Conference if in their power, pledging ourselves to double our diligence in the tract and missionary work, to prepare the way for the living preacher. Resolved, That we tender a vote of thanks to the officers of the Central Vermont, the Portland and Ogdensburgh, the Burlington and Lamoille Valley, and the Passumpsic railroads, also to gentlemen Bruce and Ladd, for the courtesy shown us in passing us over their lines at reduced rates. Resolved, That the above resolutions be published in all papers where reports of our meeting have been published. Voted, That this Conference donate $300 to the General Conference. Voted, That all expenses in connection with this meeting not otherwise provided for shall be entrusted to the decision of the Executive Committee. Eld. Bourdeau requested that a camp-meeting be held another year at Beebe Plain, for the benefit of the Canada friends. Upon this, Eld. Haskell made some stirring and appropriate remarks, expressing the belief that the time is near when two or three camp-meetings will be held annually in each Conference. Adjourned to call of Chair. The third session convened Monday P. M. Prayer by Eld. A. C. Bourdeau. Treasurer reported $1,962 in the treasury. NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE.
By M. Wood; S. A. Farnsworth
The New England Conference of S. D. Adventists held its eleventh annual session, Aug. 24, 1877, in connection with the camp-meeting at Groveland, Mass. Prayer by Eld. S. N. Haskell. The president being absent, Eld. S. N. Haskell was chosen to act in his stead. Sixteen churches were represented by nineteen delegates. The report of the last meeting was read and approved. Voted, That all the brethren present in good standing be invited to take part in the deliberations of the Conference. The brethren from Amherst, Mass., presented a request through Bro. Bolter to be organized by themselves, and taken into the Conference; and it was voted that their request be granted, and Bro. Bolter be received as delegate. Voted, That the Chair appoint the usual committees. The following were appointed: On resolutions, D. A. Robinson, P. C. Rodman, and J. S. Farnsworth; on nominations, P. C. Rodman, C. L. Davis, and F. W. Mace; on credentials and licenses, F. W. Mace, J. Crandall, and J. S. Farnsworth; Auditing Committee, H. P. Wakefield, W. B. Mason, J. S. Farnsworth, S. Martin, Geo. Murphy, and S. J. Twing. Adjourned to call of Chair. Prayer by Eld. U. Smith. The Nominating Committee presented the following names for officers of the Conference, who were thereupon unanimously elected: President, Eld. S. N. Haskell; secretary, S. A. Farnsworth; treasurer, Josiah Webber; Executive Committee, S. N. Haskell, Charles Comings, and J. C. Tucker. The following names were offered by the Committee on Licenses: for credentials, S.. N. Haskell, D. A. Robinson, and P. C. Rodman. For licenses, M. Wood, F. A. Buzzell, J. R. Israel, L. W. Hastings, and J. Crandall. Credentials and licenses were granted to the above-mentioned individuals. F. L. Mead, Chapin Harris, and Eugene Teft were elected Camp-meeting Committee. The following resolutions were adopted by the Conference:— Resolved, That we recognize the providence of God in the success which has attended those laboring with the tents in this Conference this season, and we hereby pledge ourselves to co-operate with our means, and in any manner that lies in our power, with God's providence in this work. Resolved, That we express our sympathy for God's worn servants, Bro. and Sr. White, and while we are grateful that we see their faces at our camp-meeting, we will earnestly pray that God will speedily restore them to their usual health, that they may fill the position his providence has assigned them in this work. Resolved, That when individuals professing to be Seventh-day Adventists lose a sense of the exalted character of this work, take the spirit of trade and traffic to our religious gatherings, and thus bring upon themselves the appellation of jockey, they are acting in a manner unworthy the Christian name, and such individuals should be labored with. Resolved, That we hereby express our appreciation of the efforts of those sisters who furnished reports for the daily papers, and our thanks to the journals who so freely published the same. M. WOOD, Pres. S. A. FARNSWORTH, Sec.